Tuvalu parliament elects new prime minister

Tuvalu's parliament has formally elected Enele Sopoaga to lead the country after Willy Telavi was removed as prime minister.

In a sitting of parliament, a majority of eight of Tuvalu's MP's voted in support of a no-confidence motion against Mr Telavi.

The vote follows nearly eight months of standoff between Mr Telavi's government and the opposition, with the death of one minister, the resignation of another, high court action and orders from the Governor-General.

Opposition MP Taukelina Finikaso has told Radio Australia's Pacific Beat the vote was held in parliament on Friday after more High Court action.

"Everything was in order; and the speaker was also barred from not accepting the motion of no confidence," he said.